Beginning October 1, 2021, U.S. citizens and legal residents 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID (e.g. a valid passport or U.S. military ID) to fly within the United States.

Make sure you have an acceptable form of identification to board U.S domestic flights. Visit TSA REAL ID to learn more.

Check for the Star

REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. Check with your state driver’s license agency on how to obtain a REAL ID compliant card.

About Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, and New York states issue REAL ID and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses, both of which are acceptable. Washington state issues enhanced driver’s licenses only.
State-issued enhanced driver's licenses are marked with a flag. These documents will be accepted at the airport security checkpoint when the REAL ID enforcement goes into effect.

It’s the Law

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibit federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as getting through the airport security checkpoint to board a plane. Learn more about REAL ID enforcement